ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 22: Chris Baker #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sits on the field after being injured during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills on October 22, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Because Baker, a 6-foot-2, 300-pounder, was cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Feb. 20, he was eligible to sign with another team before free agency officially begins with the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. next Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Baker entered the league with Denver in 2009 as an undrafted free agent. He played one season for the Broncos and one for Miami before signing with Washington. After one season on the practice squad in 2011, Baker appeared in 76 games in five seasons from 2012-16.

He signed a three-year, $15.8 million deal last offseason with Tampa Bay, but the Buccaneers were willing to part ways after just one season.

“I’m back with people who believe in me. Happy to move forward,” Baker told ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

Chris Baker tells me he is back at home in Tampa now, hoping to sign a deal tonight. "I'm back with people who believe in me. Happy to move forward," Baker just told me. #Bengals@CHICKatNBCS on new team first. #NFL free agency. https://t.co/mcguytfApF

Baker’s move to Cincinnati reunites him with defensive line coach Jacob Burney, who worked with him in Washington from 2011-14. Bengals linebackers coach Jim Haslett also was on the Redskins staff at the time.

The addition gives the Bengals some more depth on the interior defensive line with the Bengals expected to let 10-year veteran Pat Sims leave in free agency.